Should You Be Using Fluoride or Not?

It is quite amazing when you stop to consider all of the different ideas and notions about proper dental care.  These seemingly conflicting theories leave the patient – or more accurately – the consumer, in a sea of bewilderment most of the time.

For instance, is fluoride in mouthwash and toothpaste good or bad? Many dental experts believe that toothpaste, mouthwash and even topical treatments of fluoride harden your teeth and are therefore good. Other researchers say that any fluoride containing product put in the mouth spikes blood fluoride levels. Fluoride apparently tends to accumulate in parts of the brain as well.

Research like that done by Dr. Phyllis J. Mullenix, PhD. clearly makes you question even small amounts of fluoride showing up in our drinking supply and food supply – as many foods are exposed to fluoridated water. She also discusses that when they wanted to study even lower doses of fluoride for extended periods of time, that her funding was cut.

There are even dentists who are against fluoride’s use in the human body for any reason. Confusing, isn’t it? Who do we listen too? I can’t answer that question definitively for you but here are some thoughts that I will share on this aspect of dental health.

I am personally against fluoridation of drinking water. Despite the arguments in favor of forced medication of our drinking supply, I think it is wrong to ‘force’ any medication on a population. This behavior effectively side steps each person’s right to choose. On the other hand, the choice of personal dental care products is just that: a choice. Each person as the right to choose whether he uses fluoridated rinse and toothpaste.

When it comes to adding fluoride to the drinking supply, many scientists and professionals are against the use of fluoride while many others are in support of it. When you have this kind of debate between scientists, isn’t it best to error on the side of caution?  Find out which tools can improve your oral health. 

Disclaimer: This article is for information and entertainment purposes only. It does not intend to render advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you have or think you might have a dental health problem or any other health problem, visit your periodontist or physician for advice, diagnosis and treatment. The USFDA has not evaluated statements about products in this article.